The sensor prototype, developed at the OnePlanet Research Center, is three times smaller than current capsule endoscopies and the first to provide redox balance measurements. This can provide valuable insights into intestinal inflammation, the gut microbiome, and overall health, representing a significant step forward in the non-invasive monitoring of gut health and management of gastrointestinal diseases.
Maintaining a healthy gut is crucial for overall well-being, as the gastrointestinal (GI) tract plays a vital role in nutrient absorption, immune function, and the prevention of harmful substances from entering the body.
However, monitoring gut health can be challenging due to the complexity and inaccessibility of the GI tract. Traditional methods, such as endoscopy and colonoscopy, cannot provide a comprehensive view of the entire GI tract and are inherently unpleasant procedures.
Capsule endoscopies, while currently used for diagnosing gastrointestinal disorders such as Crohn’s disease through visual inspection, also require unpleasant bowel preparation. Moreover, current solutions lack sensors to measure the chemical environment.
At ITF World, imec will showcase a live demonstration of their highly miniaturised ingestible sensor, which offers a comprehensive and non-invasive solution for gut health monitoring through in vivo measurements.
The sensor, only 2.1cm in length and 0.75cm in diameter, which is three times smaller than existing capsule endoscopies, is designed to measure redox balance, pH, and temperature along the entire gastrointestinal tract.
Commenting Aniek Even, a researcher at imec, said, “Our ingestible sensor technology was successfully evaluated in healthy volunteers in a study conducted with Wageningen University & Research, providing the first-in-human measurements of redox balance along the gut. By providing real-time data on redox balance, the sensor can help identify oxidative stress, a marker for inflammation, and offer new insights into the gut microbiome and its role in overall health.
“Our small and easy-to-use device could revolutionise the way we diagnose and manage gastrointestinal diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease and gastrointestinal cancers.”
The sensor can take measurements every 20 seconds over a period ranging from 24 hours to a week, depending on the individual’s gut motility.
Looking ahead, the researchers aim to evaluate the sensor with patient populations, and to conduct follow-up trials in collaboration with Radboud University Medical Center focusing on patients with cancer or chronic inflammation, as well as trials with other universities and clinical centres.
